Conflict is typically avoided by the majority of people. It can inevitably lead to anxious feelings, fear, and chaos. However, when it comes to acting auditions, conflict is necessary to a successful reading. In order to have a good audition, it is necessary for an actor to find the conflict within a story and within a character.
The majority of persons and characters have internal conflicts between desires and feelings. Persons and characters can also experience conflict externally with fate, the environment, the world, and God. Relational conflicts are yet another form of personal conflict that are in present in almost every person and, therefore, character’s life. Typically, an actor is only given the dialogue, a brief outline of the character’s personality, and a story overview when they are asked to read. Conflict always exists in a story, whether on the surface or hidden beneath a complicated exterior. It is your responsibility to locate the conflict and express it in your reading.
Instability is always exciting regardless of how uncomfortable or stressful it may be. Conflict provides an element of depth and movement to a story and character. After you have gotten a handle on the personality of the character, there are naturally going to be difficulties and obstacles that that character must face. Life is always this way. All obstacles in our lives must be manipulated or overcome until they cease being hurdles and become collaborators. “Midnight Run” is a perfect movie to consider. In the film, Robert De Niro is a bounty hunter who has the responsibility of finding Charles Grodin’s character. Jack, played by De Niro, needs to collect his bounty by bringing in Mardukas, played by Grodin. Jack experiences numerous conflicts in the form of other bounty hunters, his personal turmoil, and, of course, Mardukas.
All of the answers may not be provided to you in the material provided to you at the audition. Improve your acting audition by using the dialogue and the clues therein to create a character full of depth and truth. Doing so will hold the attention of the auditor and make you more likely to obtain the role. There is nothing worse than performing a one-dimensional reading of a character with no emotion and conflict. If you work on improving your ability to add depth to your characters while reading, there is no doubt that your auditions will become more fruitful.
Make sure that the conflict you create is multi-dimensional. The typical person has numerous inner demons that are in constant turmoil. Using this to your advantage during an audition will make for an exciting reading. Creating a character’s personality is far more important than the lines that are being read.
Despite the fact that you may be the only person in the scene, there is no doubt that invisible forces or persons are affecting both the personality and story of your character. Being able to bring these hidden elements to life is what will separate you from the other actors and make your audition a success. Another thing to remember about conflict. A small amount of comedy should also be present within any conflict. Comedy is present even when the conflict is dark and deep-rooted. It is essential or the audition will be far too dark for the auditors to watch. In short, conflict and comedy are both an integral part of a successful and impressive reading.
Kirk Baltz has been a acting coach los angeles for more than 15 years. Kirk helps actors of all levels get the roles that they desire. You can read more about acting instruction at the actor’s intensive website.